After first planting seed... Do you...?

[UptownShakes]

Put in light or in dark as you wait for it to break the surface?

Is room temperature 70-80 good enough for the medium and for the seed to sprout

It was cracked before planted, little itty root tip showing

 

[LolaGal]

I would put it under a shop lite, so when it comes up, it will have adequate lighting.

Place it 5 inches or so above the soil, leave it on 24/7.

70-80 is fine.

I personally think pre soaking seeds is asking for trouble. just put them in the dirt and water.

 

[UptownShakes]

Ive hear that before... Regarding the soaking bit

Thanks lola, big ups ...

 

[Stonercool]

I would put it under a shop lite, so when it comes up, it will have adequate lighting.

Place it 5 inches or so above the soil, leave it on 24/7.

70-80 is fine.

I personally think pre soaking seeds is asking for trouble. just put them in the dirt and water.

Yes on the having lighting ready when you are planting seeds. Soil and water are good ideas too. That said, I really have found some good growth from plants that were presoaked before put into the soil.

You get the chance to see how the root structure is forming and you will be certain to have the root growth you need before you put it into a growing medium, of any kind.

I say presoak until the roots are coming out of the seeds a bit, then plant them (carefully) in the growing medium.

But yes, plants need light, and right from the start, or else their internal structures aren't going to know they need to grow big and tall.

 

[FreezerBoy]

If you can see the root, you can break the root. And kill the plant. Sprouting in what you grow in removes this unnecessary danger.

Note your sprout is looking for and expecting to find the sun in all its full and blazing glory. Tell your sprout the sun is a 23 watt cfl and the plant will believe you and build itself accordingly. Put it under the big lamp, thinking the sun went nova, the seedling will lay down and die. This is easily avoided by placing seedlings under the big lamp at "noon" so they only have 1/2 day of big light the first day. Hang lamp high on day one and lower over 2-3 days.